Kaplan University offers over 180 degree and certificate programs all available to military, veterans, and spouses of active duty members. In addition, several programs have been developed to complement specific military occupations or programs established by the military.

Open College at Kaplan University (OC@KU) offers individualized, affordable education that integrates technology and personalized service to help learners meet their career, academic, and personal goals.

Continue Your Education

Learn More About Career Paths for Business and IT Professionals

Licensing, certification, and other continuing education programs could open up new career opportunities and fast-track your goals. Explore the options that could help you continue your professional ascent.*

Accounting

Certified Public Account (CPA)

Degree Requirements: To sit for the CPA Exam, students may need to take additional courses at the undergraduate or graduate level to meet individual state requirements. The requirements to take the CPA Exam vary by state and may change from time to time. The University makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree program or any individual courses meet specific state requirements. Students are encouraged to independently research the requirements in any state where they intend to seek licensure.

A summary of the specific requirements for becoming a CPA in each of the 55 United States jurisdictions can be found at www.nasba.org.

CFP® Certification

CFP® Certification*

Degree Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited university is required within 5 years after passing the exam to receive CFP® certification.

CFP Board, which administers the CFP® certification process, notes that to earn CFP® certification, an individual is required to "meet the following initial certification requirements (known as the four "Es"):

Kaplan University does not certify individuals to use CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and marks. CFP certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements.

Human Resources

The HR Certification InstituteTM offers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced credentials for HR professionals, including those noted below.

PHR® (Professional in Human Resources)

According to the HR Certification InstituteTM, "The Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) certification demonstrates mastery of the technical and operational aspects of HR practices and U.S. laws and regulations. The professionally relevant credential is for the HR professional who focuses on program implementation, has a tactical/logistical orientation, is accountable to another HR professional within the organization and has responsibilities that focus on the HR department rather than the whole organization."

Eligibility requirements vary based on years of experience and education. To learn more, click here.

SPHR® (Senior Professional in Human Resources)

According to the HR Certification InstituteTM, "The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) certification is recognized as a professionally relevant credential for those who have mastered the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR management in the United States. It is designed for the HR professional who plans, rather than implements, HR policy, focuses on the "big picture," has ultimate accountability in the HR department, has breadth and depth of knowledge in all HR disciplines and understands the business beyond the HR function and influences the overall organization."

Eligibility requirements vary based on years of experience and education. To learn more, click here.

GPHR® (Global Professional in Human Resources)

According to the HR Certification InstituteTM, "The Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR®) is a global, competency-based credential that is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of an HR professional who operates in a global marketplace. The credential demonstrates the mastery of cross-border HR responsibilities to include strategies of globalization, development of HR policies and initiatives that support organizational global growth and employer retention and creation of organizational programs, processes and tools that achieve worldwide business goals."

According to the HR Certification InstituteTM, "Our PHR-CA®/SPHR-CA® certification is designed for HR professionals who currently hold PHR® and SPHR® credentials and are experts in regulations and legal mandates specific to the state of California. As an augment of the PHR and SPHR certification exams, the PHR-CA®/SPHR-CA® certification focuses on California HR-related laws and practices and does not test knowledge already covered on the PHR or SPHR exam. You need to hold a current PHR or SPHR certification to be eligible for the exam.

HR professionals who earn a PHR-CA or SPHR-CA have proven that they have mastered the unique skills necessary to practice in the state of California." For additional information on eligibility requirements, click here.

HRBP® (Human Resource Business Professional)

According to the HR Certification InstituteTM, "The Human Resource Business Professional (HRBP®) is a global, competency-based credential that is designed to validate professional-level core HR knowledge and skills. The credential demonstrates mastery of generally accepted technical and operational HR principles. Independent of geographic region, the credential complements local HR practices. Through demonstrated knowledge, the credential enhances the credibility of HR professionals and the organizations they serve."

HRMP® (Human Resource Management Professional)

According to the HR Certification InstituteTM, "The Human Resource Management Professional (HRMP®) is a global, competency-based credential that is designed to validate professional-level HR management knowledge and skills. The credential demonstrates mastery of generally accepted HR principles in strategy, policy development and service delivery."

Kaplan University IT Certificates

Kaplan University offers IT certificate programs, which are designed to help students stand out in the IT field as well as prepare for specific professional certifications. Learn more about these certificate programs below.

Entry-level positions in database administration or database development

Helps students prepare for the Oracle DBA Assessment Exam

In addition to these certificate programs, the Kaplan University School of Professional and Continuing Education offers professional development and certificate programs. To learn more about these offerings, click here.

*Certificates are not eligible for Title IV federal financial aid.

†Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

‡ Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams.

Insurance

Degree Requirements: Insurance licensing regulations are set at a state level by each state's Department of Insurance (DOI). At this time, there are no specific degree requirements individuals need to complete before pursuing an insurance license. However, some states do have rules surrounding what prelicensees must do before they are allowed to take a state exam for insurance licensing (e.g., attend a live class, complete a certain number of pre-study hours). Anyone interested in attaining an insurance license should contact their respective state's DOI for the specific rules regarding their license of interest.

Investment

Claritas® Investment Certificate

Degree Requirements: Awarded by CFA Institute, there is no education or experience requirement for the global Claritas® Investment Certificate; however, candidates should feel comfortable with the English language. The multiple-choice, computer-based exam is offered at test centers around the world.

FRM® (Financial Risk Manager®)

Degree Requirements: There are no educational or professional prerequisites to sit for the FRM® exam, which is offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). According to GARP, "in order to be certified as a Financial Risk Manager® (FRM) and be able to use the FRM acronym after your name, the following is required:

A passing score on both Part I and Part II of the FRM Exam

A minimum of two years professional full-time work experience in the area of financial risk management or another related field including, but not limited to: trading, portfolio management, academia (tenure track faculty), industry research, economics, auditing, risk consulting, and/or risk technology."

Securities exams, such as the Series 7, require individuals to be sponsored by a FINRA member firm or self-regulatory organization in order to sit for the exam(s). Next, the sponsoring firm will assist the individual with registering with FINRA by completing a Form U-4, a background check, fingerprinting and payment of all exam/registration fees.

The Series 65 and Series 66 exams do not require a sponsoring firm. The individual must simply submit form U-10. However, in order to register a Series 66 license with FINRA, the individual must also complete the Series 7 licensing exam too.

Depending on the state an individual wishes to be registered in, there may be other requirements, such as an application, bonding, background check, or fee payment.

See Also

* Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams. Students should research the requirements in the state in which they intend to seek employment.

Kaplan University offers over 180 degree and certificate programs all available to military, veterans, and spouses of active duty members. In addition, several programs have been developed to complement specific military occupations or programs established by the military.

Open College at Kaplan University (OC@KU) offers individualized, affordable education that integrates technology and personalized service to help learners meet their career, academic, and personal goals.